Staff at Manchester Metropolitan University are set to strike for two days

Staff at Manchester Metropolitan University are set to strike for two days next month

(Image: Mark Waugh)

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will walk out on Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 21, over a row over job losses.

The university is closing its Crewe campus in Cheshire, with a number of staff members being made redundant.

UCU has said the strike action is a last resort after the university refused suggestions to postpone compulsory redundancies for this summer.

The walk out was initially planned to take place last week, but was cancelled following the Manchester Arena terror attack on Monday, May 22.

UCU regional official, Martyn Moss, said: ‘Strike action is always a last resort, but members will walk out next month if the university refuses to address the jobs issue.

“We have suggested postponing redundancies planned for this summer and to talk through conciliation service ACAS.

“The university has refused both suggestions, despite the fact that UCU members at Manchester Metropolitan University have made it quite clear that they are prepared to take strike action to defend jobs at their university.”

13:52

Bowling For Soup show off Manchester Bee tattoos

Bowling For Soup have got Manchester Bee tattoos

(Image: Facebook)

American rock band Bowling For Soup have showed their support for their ‘favourite city’ by getting their very own Manchester Bee tattoos.

The Texas four-piece, best known for hits Girl All the Bad Guys Want, 1985 and High School Never Ends, were in the UK performing at the Slam Dunk Music Festival in Leeds over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The already heavily-tattooed rockers posted a photo showing off their latest artwork on the their Facebook page.

The post read: “Leaving #slamdunkfestival with four brand new #manchesterbee tattoos.”

The gesture has been met with praise from fans, thanking them for their support.

Military personnel 'being gradually stood down'

Military personnel are being gradually stood down as the huge security operation launched after the Manchester bombing is scaled back

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Hundreds of troops were called in to support the police effort amid fears further attacks could be imminent.

The plan, Operation Temperer, was activated after the official threat level was raised to critical, the highest level, for the first time in almost a decade. Over the weekend the assessment was changed back to severe, the second most serious rating.

This indicates an attack is considered “highly likely”. Under Temperer, the pool of police firearms officers available to be deployed nationwide was boosted by more than 1,000 after military personnel were posted to guard key sites.

The measure was kept in place over the Bank Holiday weekend as hundreds of events were held around the country.

On Tuesday Scotland Yard said the reduction of military support will continue over the next three days.

Extra police resources implemented over the extended weekend have also been stood down.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the national lead for counter-terrorism policing, said: “I’d like to thank military colleagues for their assistance and the public for their continued support during this challenging time. “

The extra resources that were in place over the last week are being phased out. “However, military personnel will remain in readiness to support the police should it be necessary.

“The threat level from terrorism in the UK remains severe and the public should remain alert and report any suspicious activity to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency the public should always call 999.”

13:38

Ariana Grande concert could take place this Sunday

Police are “fairly confident” that singer Ariana Grande will be able to perform a tribute concert in Manchester on Sunday

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the force had been working with the singer’s management team to ensure the gig goes ahead, with Lancashire Cricket Club’s Old Trafford ground thought to be a possible venue.

In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, the senior officer said the pop star’s team were “very keen” to return to the city “sooner rather than later” for a proposed date this weekend but that it clashed with Manchester United player Michael Carrick’s charity testimonial at the nearby football stadium.

The match to mark midfielder Carrick’s 11 years at the club is scheduled to kick off at 4pm on Sunday with the line-up including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

National Football Museum re-opening

Salman Abedi 'not known to Prevent programme'

Salman Abedi was known to police for a “relatively minor” criminal record but not for holding extremist views, said the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.

Ian Hopkins revealed the Manchester Arena bomber appeared on police logs in 2012 over offences of theft, receiving stolen goods and assault but he had not featured in the government’s Prevent counter-terrorism strategy.

In reply to a question from Paul, of Bury, who asked “how can somebody slip through the net that’s already on the radar to commit such an offence”, Mr Hopkins said: “Obviously there has been a lot said in the media and what I would just say to people is just be careful of some of the reporting that is going on because obviously we don’t know everything at this stage.

“So what I do know about Abedi, the terrorist, is that he was known to the police for some relatively minor matters, theft, receiving stolen goods, minor assault. “Those were in 2012.

“You know there has been a lot of reporting and people commenting that he was reported to us on a number of occasions.

“You will have heard us talk about the Prevent programme which is about safeguarding and trying to deradicalise and deal with those at risk of being radicalised. “Abedi was not known to the Prevent programme...(he) was not on any sort of Prevent agenda.

“Now of course we continue to check records going back and the Home Secretary announced yesterday that the security service are going to review what they knew as well.

“Obviously I am not privy to what the security service did or didn’t know about that individual at this time.

“But from a police perspective that’s what I knew.”

11:19KEY EVENT

Man, 47, stabbed in Heaton Norris

Police have launched an appeal after a man was stabbed in Stockport

(Image: Google StreetView)

The 47-year-old man was attacked on Belmont Street, in Heaton Norris, at around midnight on Tuesday.

He was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where he remains in a stable but serious condition.

Residents said a section of Belmont Street, at the junction of the A6, was cordoned off and police officers were standing guard this morning. Investigators believe two men were involved in the attack.

The first man is described as white, 5ft 10ins, of medium build and with stubble on his face.

He was wearing dark clothing and carrying a knife. The other man is described as white, of skinny build and with a slim face.

He was wearing dark clothes and light grey trainers.

Det Sgt Dave Chambers, of GMP’s Stockport Borough, said: “This man has been left in a serious condition after what must have been a horrific attack. “I would ask for anyone who was in the area at the time or recognises the description of the two men to please come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9770 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

10:56

Ed Sheeran has a message for Manchester

Pop star Ed Sheeran has released this video message supporting the MEN charity appeal

Make a donation HERE.

10:45KEY EVENT

Collision on M56

Two cars have collided on the M56 Westbound

One lane has closed on the motorway between J3A Princess Parkway and J3 Altrincham Road.

At around 10.15am a rolling road block was put in place to allow highways to deal with the incident.

Traffic has since been released, but there are reports of residual delays.

10:26

More pictures from Victoria Station re-opening

We have some more emotive images from the re-opening of Victoria Station

Chris Grayling and Andy Burnham placed flowers inside the station and wrote messages in tribute to those killed.

Tributes continue to grow in St Ann's Square

We Love Manchester sign outside the Arena

A ‘We Love Manchester’ sign has been place outside the Arena

08:46

National news headlines

Here are some of the national news headlines from this morning:

(Image: Getty)

Election - MAY AND CORBYN PUT ON THE SPOT IN LIVE TV GRILLING - Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have been forced to defend their records as they faced a live TV grilling from a studio audience and presenter Jeremy Paxman. The Prime Minister came under fire for cuts to public services and her plans for social care, while Mr Corbyn faced questioning on his attitude to security issues and past comments about the IRA and the Falklands War.

Police - WOMAN ZOOKEEPER KILLED IN TIGER INCIDENT HAILED AS ‘SHINING LIGHT’- A keeper killed in a “freak accident” after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in has been described as the “shining light” of the zoo where she worked. Rosa King, who has been named in reports as the Hamerton Zoo Park keeper who died on Monday, was a “lovely lady” who was “absolutely passionate” about the animals in her care, a friend said.

Police - STATION REOPENS AFTER MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK - Manchester Victoria railway station has reopened to services more than a week after a suicide attack at the Manchester Arena. The station, which is attached to the Manchester Arena where Salman Abedi wrought death and destruction on the city, was shut to allow a forensic search of the area to take place. Twenty-two people were killed and dozens injured after the bomber struck following a concert by American singer Ariana Grande.

08:34

Manchester weather

A band of rain

It will be a damp and cloudy start.

Once this has cleared a band of rain will arrived from the west around midday.

It will be occasionally heavy, however it will become patchier by the afternoon.

This will be followed by some sunny spells into the evening.

Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 17C.

08:12

Police searching for blue suitcase

Police are searching a tip in the hope to find a blue suitcase used by bomber Salman Abedi

Officers in white overalls were pictured at the Viridor Waste Management site, just off the M66 between Heywood and Bury.

According to eyewitnesses, four police vans and a number of officers arrived at the Pilsworth Road landfill on Monday afternoon.

Hours later, detectives trying to piece together Abedi’s movements leading up to Monday night’s atrocity released images of him with a blue suitcase.